This lesson teaches children that God is holy and does not want us to worship other gods, and that God honors people who stand up for what is right. It is a good fit for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Numbers 25 is a serious chapter, so the teacher will want to keep the tone calm and clear.
Big Idea
God is good and holy, so He wants His people to love only Him. When we turn away from Him, He is sad and wants us to come back. God loves it when we are brave and faithful.
Memory Verse
Numbers 25:11
“Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, in that he was jealous with my jealousy among them, so that I didn’t consume the children of Israel in my jealousy.
(WEB)
Have children hold both hands up in front of their chest, then slowly bring them together like a closed book. Say the verse together, and at the word “jealous” have them make a strong fist and hold it still. This helps them remember that God cares deeply about His people.
The Story: Numbers 25 for Kids
The people of Israel were camping in a place called Shittim, near the land of Moab. Some of the Israelite men began to spend time with Moabite women. These women invited them to join their feasts, where they bowed down to a false god called Baal of Peor. The men forgot about the true God who had rescued them from Egypt.
God was very angry about this, because He is holy and He had made His people His own. A terrible sickness started spreading among the people. God told Moses, “Take the leaders and deal with this sin.” Moses told the judges of Israel to put to death the men who had joined in the worship of Baal of Peor.
Then a man named Zimri brought a Midianite woman named Cozbi into his tent in front of everyone who was crying at the entrance of the meeting tent. A man named Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron the priest, saw this. He was filled with zeal for God. He took a spear, went into the tent, and stopped the sin, and the sickness stopped too.
About twenty-four thousand people had died in the sickness. Because Phinehas was so zealous for God, God made a promise to him. God said Phinehas and his family would have a covenant of peace and a special priesthood that would last forever.
God then told Moses that the Midianites had been tricky and had led Israel into sin, so they must be treated as enemies. God wants His people to be faithful, even when it is hard to stand up for Him. Phinehas teaches us what it looks like to love God more than anything.
Read It Together
Numbers 25:1-3
1 Israel stayed in Shittim; and the people began to play the prostitute with the daughters of Moab; 2 for they called the people to the sacrifices of their gods. The people ate and bowed down to their gods. 3 Israel joined himself to Baal Peor. The LORD’s anger burned against Israel.
(WEB)
Point out that the people did not start by bowing to idols right away. They first spent time with people who did not love God, and then they stopped trusting Him. Ask children what kinds of friends might lead them away from God, and talk about how choosing good friends helps us stay close to Him.
Numbers 25:10-11
10 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 11 “Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, in that he was jealous with my jealousy among them, so that I didn’t consume the children of Israel in my jealousy.
(WEB)
Show children that God Himself speaks to Moses here and tells him about Phinehas. God is pleased with Phinehas because he cared about God’s honor. Explain that being zealous for God means loving Him so much that we want to please Him in everything we do.
Numbers 25:12-13
12 Therefore say, ‘Behold, I give to him my covenant of peace. 13 It shall be to him, and to his offspring after him, the covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was jealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel.’”
(WEB)
Point out the word “covenant” and explain that it means a special promise. God made a lasting promise to Phinehas because of his faithfulness. Remind children that God keeps His promises, and that He also rewards people who trust and obey Him.
Talk About It
- What do you think the Israelites should have done when their friends invited them to worship Baal?
- How did God feel about the people who turned away from Him, and why do you think He felt that way?
- What did Phinehas do that showed he loved God, and how can we show love to God in our own lives?
- Why do you think God made a special promise to Phinehas and his family?
- When is it hard for you to stand up for what is right, and who can help you be brave?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Faithful Friend
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a picture of someone who helps them stay close to God, such as a parent, grandparent, or teacher. Encourage them to write one thing that person does that shows they love God. Let children share their drawings with the group and say a short prayer for each person.
Stand Strong Game
You will need a open space in the room and a few soft pillows or cushions. Have children stand in a line, and one at a time walk through a “tempting” path where the teacher calls out things like “come play with us instead of going to church.” Children must stay standing tall and say “I will follow God” before they move on. This helps children practice standing firm.
Take-Home Promise Card
You will need index cards, a pen, and a sticker or small piece of tape. Have each child write “God is my faithful friend” on one side and draw a small heart or cross on the other. Ask them to take the card home and place it somewhere they will see each morning. Encourage them to read it aloud at breakfast and remember that God keeps His promises.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s holiness is serious and that idolatry is a real danger, not just an old problem. Phinehas acted with zeal for God’s honor, and the text presents God’s covenant of peace as a reward for faithfulness. Adults can also see the warning in how gradual compromise began with social ties before it became open worship.
Avoid overstating to children that God will always send a plague when people sin, or that they should take violent action against others. The text describes a specific historical event under Moses’ leadership. Focus instead on God’s love, His desire for our loyalty, and the simple call to trust and obey Him today.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for loving us and for being holy and good. Help us to love You more than anything else and to choose friends who help us follow You. Give us courage to stand up for what is right, just like Phinehas did. Thank You for keeping Your promises to us. Amen.
